If you are looking for some books to get you through the coming colder months, or would like the chance to mingle with some of the region's finest writers, you may want to plan a visit to the Spencertown Academy Arts Center's Festival of Books, which runs throughout Labor Day weekend.

This event in Spencertown — southeast of the Capital Region, just beyond Chatham — features a giant book sale of more than 10,000 gently used books from every genre, as well as two days of readings and book signings by authors ranging from local to internationally known.

A children's program will also run throughout, featuring visits and photo ops with Corduroy Bear, arts projects in the program tent and a storybook corner for the youngest readers.

Admission to all events is free, and the proceeds support the work of the Arts Center, which delivers high-quality, affordable arts programs to the community throughout the year.

Acclaimed novelist Ann Hood ("The Italian Wife," 2015) says, "The festival is in one of the most beautiful settings imaginable. And always manages to bring together exciting, interesting writers."

A sampling of the featured writers at the 2015 festival are:

More Information

Authors Alex Kershaw ("Avenue of Spies: A True Story of Terror, Espionage, and One American Family's Heroic Resistance in Nazi-Occupied Paris," 2015) and David R. Gillham ("City of Women," 2013, a historical novel set in 1943 Berlin) in conversation about the role of resisters during World War II and the courage and moral choices in occupied Paris and Berlin.

3 to 4 p.m.: The Reinvention of American Taste

Gourmet magazine editor-in-chief Ruth Reichl (author of the memoirs "Tender at the Bone: Growing Up at the Table," 1998, and "Comfort Me With Apples," 2001, as well as the debut novel "Delicious!," 2015) in conversation with Luke Barr, her great-nephew ("Provence, 1970: M.F.K. Fisher, Julia Child, James Beard, and the Reinvention of American Taste," 2013).

Sunday, SEPT. 6

11 a.m. to noon: Black Carbon: Scourge and Opportunity

Jonathan Mingle discusses his book ("Fire and Ice: Soot, Solidarity, and Survival on the Roof of the World," 2015) that explores the effects of black carbon on one remote Himalayan village.

Noon to 1:30 p.m.: What Comes from Loss

Novelist and memoirist Ann Hood ("Comfort: A Journey Through Grief," 2008) in conversation with novelist James Scott ("The Kept," 2014).

2 to 3 p.m.: My Search Through History

Nonfiction writer Simon Winchester ("The Men Who United the States," 2013: "The Professor and the Madman," 1998) and Alan Chartock of WAMC/Northeast Public Radio in discussion about Winchester's career of bringing little-known historical characters to life.

The book sale begins Friday night with a preview party ($25 donation).

Featured novelist and Loudonville native James Scott explained what he is looking forward to most at Spencertown: "I simply love being around books. I enjoy hearing writers talk about what's important to them, and gaining insight into what goes into their work, as it's often not what I'd expect. Long before I published my book, I would daydream about what it would be like to be on that stage or up at that podium, and so the chance to be on the other side is one I treasure. Writing is a lonely process, and the chance to speak to other people about what I do when I'm alone at the keyboard is a nice change of pace."